The campaign, sponsored by the Illinois Commerce Commission and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), the state’s leading utility watchdog, is designed to educate Illinois homeowners and renters on how to get affordable phone service.

According to CUB, all Illinois consumers can save an average of $200 a year by choosing the right calling plan.

“Too many consumers are paying bloated phone bills filled with features and services they never use,” said CUB Executive Director David Kolata. “But the Lifeline and Link-Up discounts, combined with the low-cost Consumer’s Choice calling plans, make it easier for all Illinois consumers to stay connected.”

Available to income-eligible residents, the Link-Up program helps residents install phone service and pays up to half, or $30, of the installation or activation fee. Lifeline is a federal program that provides a basic phone-service discount of up to $10 per month.

The Consumer’s Choice plans, which were designed by CUB to fit the needs of the average Illinois caller, cost between $3 and $20 and are available to all AT&T landline customers in Illinois, regardless of income.

The plans’ prices are frozen through at least June of 2013 thanks to the Illinois Telecommunications Act.

To apply for the telecommunications assistance program, contact your local phone provider. A list of companies that offer the service can be found at icc.illinois.gov.

For more information on the Consumer’s Choice plans, or to get other money-saving tips from CUB’s Phone Savings Center, visit CitizensUtilityBoard.org.